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The History of Christmas

Every year Americans start seeing the signs of Christmas as early as July. Stores and shops run specials and start planting seeds to get consumers thinking about gifts and ideas for family and friends. Is this a little excessive? “In my humble opinion, yes it is.” If you are curious about how long we as a culture have been celebrating Christmas, it all started in the year 1870 in America. But, around the world there was a little different celebration happening around the winter solstice.

Cultures around the world have been celebrating the birth of Christ for over two millennia. Christians celebrate Christmas day by decorating trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends. This is the holiday celebration that most of us know. Early Europeans celebrated the winter solstice by rejoicing light and birth in the darkest days of winter. In Scandinavia there was celebration during the winter solstice for the sun and they would burn large logs.

In Germany, during the winter solstice, a pagan god named Oden was honored, because they felt he decided who would perish or prosper. In Rome, it was Saturnalia, in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. There are so many more traditions and celebrations of family and community. If you would like to learn more just visit www.history.com. Happy Holidays from Kristi’s Book Nook.

Title: It’s Holiday Time!

Author: Elizabeth Bennett Baccala

Illustrator: Gladys

Publisher: Tiger Tales an imprint of ME Media, LLC

Ages: 2 to 5 years

ISBN: 9781589256408

Review:

Christmas time is about caring, sharing, baking, singing and giving. Preschoolers will see just how busy Christmas time can be. A little bear family bundles up for Christmas time shopping. The streets are filled with the hustle and bustle of many shoppers. After shopping, there is no time for napping, only baking and wrapping. Families gather around to sing joyful songs. It’s family time, giving time and gathering with friends.

Elizabeth Bennett has created a festive tale surrounding the Christmas holiday. Soft pastel pictures with sparkles throughout are there for little fingers to touch. Easy words and recognizable characters are inviting for any new reader. A padded cover and sturdy pages make this book easy to hold and long lasting.

Kristi Bernard writes books for children. She also writes book reviews for Tiger Tales Books, The Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database(CLDC), National Geographic Kids, Book Pleasures, Barnes & Nobles and various other outlets. Kristi has featured articles and book reviews at The National Writing For Children Center (NWFCC) in which she was a contributing editor,and has one contests for her writing. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Association of Children’s Authors & Illustrators of Color (ACAIC). Her blogs are The Neophyte Writer (http://kristibernard.wordpress.com) – a writers journey, writing tips and author interviews and Kristi’s Book Nook (http://kristisbooknook.blogspot.com) – book reviews, amazon specials, author promotions, and book giveaways.